One game but both Cole and Brooks are better than Johnson.

[GreenFaith1819]

Another reason I'm glad Boston choose Jajuan:

http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/sierra/2011/06/09/marshon-brooks-im-more-crawford-than-kobe/

He compares himself more to Jamal Crawford than Kobe Bryant.

Kobe is an elite scorer and for most of his career an elite defender. If MarShon is already focused more on scoring, I'm sure he wouldn't sniff much time here in Boston.

I’ve read some interviews you’ve done recently and it seems you’re now a little bothered about the Kobe Bryant comparisons. Is that right?
 
MB: I respect Kobe Bryant’s game so much that I don’t think anybody should be compared to him. I might play like him a tiny bit, but I would say I play more like Jamal Crawford than Kobe Bryant.

Now I'm not saying that MB couldn't develop into an elite defender in time. But with our current bench makeup we have decent scorers AND defenders.

Scoring points has NOT been an issue with this team. We've put up 104 and 107 pts vs the vaunted NY frontline AND against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA in MIA - all without Paul Pierce and Pietrus.

MarShon is admittedly in a good spot right now, with NJ's need for scoring (especially with B Lopez getting hurt). But looking at the fact that ATL destroyed NJ by 30+ points just shows me that not much defense was played by NJ.

For our current title run, I like our bench. Jajuan Johnson will get his time to shine.

[Celtics4ever]

JJ has not even sniffed the court yet.  We are a deeper than both these teams.

I think Doc needs to play Moore over Bradley.   Sometimes we need offense just as much if not more than defense.

[BballTim]

But just because they are playing doesn't make them better. If you have literally nothing to go by about how JJ will play in the NBA how can we say two players are better?

Yeah, duh they are playing better but are they better, nobody knows that yet.

OK, listen closely: Actually getting time on the floor means you are playing better. Because you actually get to play. You have to play to be a player.

  Or it means that you're playing behind weaker starters. Would you think it's easier to get playing time when you're playing behind Rondo or Chalmers? Because, regardless of how good you are, I'm thinking Rondo's backup won't see as much playing time. It also makes a difference whether you're trying to win games against top opponents or if you're on a team that's getting blown out a lot or developing youth.

  Orien Green, as a rookie, played more minutes than David Lee, Monta Ellis, Hakeem Warrick and Chuck Hayes. Gerald Green, in that same year, played more minutes than a host of players, including Bynum (injured, no doubt), Bass, CJ Miles, Turiaf, Maxiell, Blatche, Lou Williams, Wil Bynum and Amir Johnson.

[CFAN38]

Bigs usually take long to adjust to the NBA where they are no longer the biggest most athletic players on the court. I was impressed with Jon Leuer stat line last night, but its to early to be down on JJ he is playing behind some good to decent bigs in KG,Bass,Wilcox and JO it will take time to crack the rotation. Im hoping with wilcox banged up he gets some time against NO.

[dtrader]

Another reason I'm glad Boston choose Jajuan:

http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/sierra/2011/06/09/marshon-brooks-im-more-crawford-than-kobe/

He compares himself more to Jamal Crawford than Kobe Bryant.

Kobe is an elite scorer and for most of his career an elite defender. If MarShon is already focused more on scoring, I'm sure he wouldn't sniff much time here in Boston.

I’ve read some interviews you’ve done recently and it seems you’re now a little bothered about the Kobe Bryant comparisons. Is that right?
 
MB: I respect Kobe Bryant’s game so much that I don’t think anybody should be compared to him. I might play like him a tiny bit, but I would say I play more like Jamal Crawford than Kobe Bryant.

Now I'm not saying that MB couldn't develop into an elite defender in time. But with our current bench makeup we have decent scorers AND defenders.

Scoring points has NOT been an issue with this team. We've put up 104 and 107 pts vs the vaunted NY frontline AND against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA in MIA - all without Paul Pierce and Pietrus.

MarShon is admittedly in a good spot right now, with NJ's need for scoring (especially with B Lopez getting hurt). But looking at the fact that ATL destroyed NJ by 30+ points just shows me that not much defense was played by NJ.

For our current title run, I like our bench. Jajuan Johnson will get his time to shine.

It's not like Marshon said he didnt want to play defense or anything like that.  Really, what he said had nothing to do with defense whatsoever.  He basically said, that he didnt think he should be compared to kobe because he respects Kobe so much that he doesnt deserve that comparison. 

Seeing yourself as having a game comparable to a proven 20 pt a night scorer, and also seeing Crawford as someone that you CAN already be compared to, should be seen as a positive for Brooks.

With his size, length, and quickness, Brooks definitely has the tools to become a great wing defender.  Whether or not that happens depends on how he's coached.

[BballTim]

With his size, length, and quickness, Brooks definitely has the tools to become a great wing defender.  Whether or not that happens depends on how he's coached.

  I don't think you can really blame the fact that many players don't defend well on how they're coached.

[Who]

The Celtics have three established NBA players ahead of JaJuan Johnson in Kevin Garnett (star player), Brandon Bass (current 6th man) and Chris Wilcox.

There is no playing time available and it'll be very difficult for a rookie (who by definition is unproven NBA-wise) taken late in the first round to get ahead of them.

That shouldn't be taken as an overly negative sign of where his game is at or how much potential JJJ has ... it's just a lack of available minutes. Being caught behind established quality pros at his position.

Be patient and wait for JJJ to get an opportunity down the road.

Then assess his ability + potential.

[Eja117]

I also pointed out it was one game.

I am just saying that I am getting a bad feeling about trends that are starting.

I think Pierce will have this heel trouble all season. It tends to nag a player.

I just see a team that is savvy and proud but is just too old to compete with the top teams anymore.

But it's sort of two games

Brooks played against powerhouses in the Wiz and the Hawks.  In his first game against the Wiz he got 6 points and 3 fouls in 8 minutes. And 2 rebs.  Eh

Cole's first game was against Dallas. He got 7 points and 2 rebs in 23 mins. He also had 4 TOs and 3 fouls.  Eh

Maybe we should get to ten games

[dark_lord]

Nice trading and picking by the Boston Brain Trust.


Plus we are already playing the old guys too much. This season is going to be a disaster. Pierce's injury will nag all year. They need to look to trade away KG and Allen now and start rebuilding.

We are not winning a title so there is no reason to watch this team slowly fall apart like the Celtics of the late 80's and early 90's.

are you going to create multiple threads like this after each loss and any negative information about the team (i.e. jeff green)?  and you shouldnt be calling anyone a fool (surprised it wasnt addressed).

you must be a joy to watch a game with

[Celtics18]

First of all calling someone a fool goes on in here all the time.

Second, saying that the two players are playing better is a simple fact. Because they are actually seeing the floor.

Which means to think otherwise is to be foolish, or a fool.

Regardless of who you are.

Your original claim wasn't that Cole and Brooks were playing better, but that they are better players.

This is still very much a debatable issue. 

You are clearly overreacting to two games.  Just because you don't have the mental sophistication to stick to your own argument doesn't give you the right to call others fools.

[action781]

ctrey - one rebuilding/blow it up thread is enough at a time.

I will agree with you that so far, Marshon and Norris look like better players than JJ.  I particularly think Norris is going to be a good player in this league.  But it's only two games into the season.  Rondo showed us very little his entire first season in Boston (6.4ppg, 3.8apg, 41% shooting in 23mpg) and look how he turned out.

The celtics have played against two veteran teams and had veteran options ahead of JJ in the depth chart to throw at them.  NJ and Miami do not so had to use their rookies.  Let's just give it time...

[Lord of Mikawa]

Cole is playing with Lebron James and D Wade. Of course he is going to get looks and be confident.

Brooks got his shots in a blowout massacre courtesy of the Hawks. I don't see much stock in him.

[mqtcelticsfan]

Cole is playing with Lebron James and D Wade. Of course he is going to get looks and be confident.

Brooks got his shots in a blowout massacre courtesy of the Hawks. I don't see much stock in him.

Agreed. I don't think anyone thought that either Cole or Brooks would suddenly lose their ability to hit open threes in the NBA. They're bound to have games like these when the shots fall. However, it's really about consistently being able to create their own shots and score when there is defensive pressure on them. Cole isn't likely to keep up a .500 shooting percentage from the field going forward, because that would make him the best scoring guard of all time. When he has a more balanced scoring night, these threads won't pop up. Same with Brooks when it's not a blowout that he scores a bunch in on the losing side.

[Neurotic Guy]

I thought we were going to manage minutes? Allen played 40, Garnett 33. This is not the way to do this. Just really worrisome.

Plus Cole is playing major minutes and had a great game. Make all the excuses you want.

We failed to get West, Green is out for the year. We are not winning the title guys. Face it.

Even the TNT guys talked about that fact last night.

It may be a good time to look up the word 'fact' in the dictionary.  Here some actual facts:
The C's have played 2 games out of 66. 
The C's have lost the 2 games by a total of 10 points to 2 Eastern Conference title contenders who were at home. 
The C's have played their first 2 games without their all-star small forward.

I certainly would rather the C's had blown out both the Knicks and Heat.  But had they done so, it would not be a fact that the C's will be contenders -- anymore than it is now a fact that they aren't. 

DA has time to decide whether there is a real 'run' left in this team or not.  I trust that he'll need longer than 2 games (plus 2 pre-season games) to make his determination.  It is remarkable that you are able to decide they are done before Danny realizes it.   

My guess is that Danny is working tirelessly to gain information about whether it is more prudent to stand pat, to make moves to bolster the current roster, or to plan for the future.  He may need more than 2 games to decide.

[guava_wrench]

I thought we were going to manage minutes? Allen played 40, Garnett 33. This is not the way to do this. Just really worrisome.

Plus Cole is playing major minutes and had a great game. Make all the excuses you want.

We failed to get West, Green is out for the year. We are not winning the title guys. Face it.

Even the TNT guys talked about that fact last night.

It may be a good time to look up the word 'fact' in the dictionary.  Here some actual facts:
The C's have played 2 games out of 66. 
The C's have lost the 2 games by a total of 10 points to 2 Eastern Conference title contenders who were at home. 
The C's have played their first 2 games without their all-star small forward.

I certainly would rather the C's had blown out both the Knicks and Heat.  But had they done so, it would not be a fact that the C's will be contenders -- anymore than it is now a fact that they aren't. 

DA has time to decide whether there is a real 'run' left in this team or not.  I trust that he'll need longer than 2 games (plus 2 pre-season games) to make his determination.  It is remarkable that you are able to decide they are done before Danny realizes it.   

My guess is that Danny is working tirelessly to gain information about whether it is more prudent to stand pat, to make moves to bolster the current roster, or to plan for the future.  He may need more than 2 games to decide.

Great response.

These types of threads are the reason why it is important to call people out every time they authoritatively make over the top predictions. It is one thing to not be impressed with someone's game, but to claim we can know much after 2 games is silly. Even Gerald Green went off a few times. Heck, Allan Ray even has his moments. If a team is bad enough, guys who like to shoot will have some good games.